Yeungnam Univ J Med.  2011 Jun;28(1):45-53.

Estimation of Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Clubs Based on Urinary Cotinine Levels

• Lee YJ
• Lee YJ
• Jeon MJ
• Sakong J

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Increasing numbers of young people go to clubs. In Korea, however, no studies have been conducted regarding the exposure of club patrons to secondhand smoke. The present study was conducted to evaluate the degree of club customers' exposure to secondhand smoke.
METHODS
The study subjects included 10 male and 12 female non-smokers. The investigational site was a club located in Daegu. Urine samples were collected before exposure to secondhand smoke in the club and 6 hours after a 3-hour exposure. The urine cotinine levels were measured via the LC-MS/MS method. A survey was conducted to collect data regarding the subjects' smoking experiences and the degree of exposure to secondhand smoke in their daily lives.
RESULTS
The average urine cotinine level increased from 1.09 microg/L to 5.55 microg/L (p<0.05). No significant difference existed in the change in urine cotinine level between the male and female subjects. In addition, there was no significant difference in the change in urine cotinine level by the degree of exposure to secondhand smoke in daily life.
CONCLUSIONS
The average urine cotinine level in all the subjects significantly increased after exposure to secondhand smoke. This is the first study on exposure to secondhand smoke in clubs; these results can be used to craft measures that reduce exposure to secondhand smoke in public places, such as clubs.

Keyword

Tobacco smoke pollution; Urine; Cotinine

MeSH Terms

Cotinine
Female
Humans
Korea
Male
Smoke
Smoking
Tobacco Smoke Pollution
Cotinine
Smoke
Tobacco Smoke Pollution